Save to Pinterest Moist, cinnamon-spiced muffin cups filled with caramelized apples and finished with a decadent caramel drizzle capture the essence of a classic apple fritter in an easy, handheld form. The delightful blend of comforting cinnamon, rich caramel, and tender apples makes these Caramel Apple Fritter Muffin Cups perfect for dessert or a special treat.
I first made these for my family on a cool autumn weekend—the kitchen filled with the scent of cinnamon and caramel as they baked. They were an instant hit, and now everyone requests them whenever apples are in season.
Ingredients
- Apples: 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- Unsalted butter: 1 tbsp for apples, 1/2 cup melted for batter
- Brown sugar: 2 tbsp for caramelizing apples
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 tsp for apples, 1 tsp for batter
- All-purpose flour: 1 3/4 cups
- Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup
- Baking powder: 2 tsp
- Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Eggs: 2 large
- Whole milk: 1/2 cup
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Soft caramel candies: 1/2 cup (about 12), unwrapped
- Heavy cream: 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Prep Muffin Tin:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease well.
- Caramelize Apples:
- Melt 1 tbsp butter in skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring, until apples are tender and caramelized. Remove from heat.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Batter:
- Pour wet ingredients into dry, stirring gently until almost combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold In Apples:
- Fold caramelized apples and juices into batter.
- Portion Batter:
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake:
- Bake 22–25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to rack.
- Make Caramel Drizzle:
- In microwave-safe bowl, combine caramel candies and heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring, until smooth (about 1–1.5 minutes).
- Finish:
- Drizzle warm caramel over muffins before serving.
Save to Pinterest These muffin cups made a wonderful addition to our weekend brunch. My kids enjoy helping drizzle the caramel, and it's always a family tradition now when apple season rolls around.
Required Tools
Muffin tin, mixing bowls, skillet, whisk, microwave-safe bowl, and a spoon or piping bag for drizzling caramel are needed for this recipe.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk, and possibly nuts if you add them. Always double-check caramel candy ingredients for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each muffin cup contains approximately 250 calories, 10 g total fat, 38 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Save to Pinterest Serve these muffin cups with a hot drink and enjoy their gooey caramel finish. They'll quickly become your go-to treat for cozy mornings.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What kind of apples work best?
Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are recommended for their firm texture and balanced sweetness.
- → Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes, store-bought caramel sauce can be used for drizzling, though melting caramel candies adds extra richness.
- → How do I know when muffin cups are done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean or with few crumbs, they are ready to remove from the oven.
- → Are there nut-free options?
Absolutely! Simply omit toasted nuts for a nut-free treat. Always check caramel ingredients for allergens.
- → What’s the best way to serve?
Serve warm or at room temperature, ideally with coffee or spiced chai for ultimate enjoyment.
- → Can I substitute apples with other fruits?
Pears make a delicious alternative, offering a sweet twist to the muffin cups.